Updated: Trust chief to appeal 'vindictive' dismissal decision

Jonathan Parry had been excluded from work at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust since August 2015, due to allegations made by a whistleblower.

The trust has never explained the nature of the allegations against him and three other senior officers who were also excluded.

Mr Parry, who had been in the post since 1999, has said he intends to appeal the decision

The trust said in a statement: “The announcement follows the outcome of a disciplinary hearing which reviewed 21 allegations of misconduct.

“The disciplinary panel found evidence on 11 counts of misconduct, seven of which amounted to gross misconduct. The panel’s recommendation has been accepted and implemented by the trust board.”

In an email to former colleagues seen by HSJ, Mr Parry wrote this morning that he intends to appeal, or if necessary take his case to an employment tribunal.

He adds: “Despite expecting this outcome whatever defence I mounted, it still comes as a sorry and I believe vindictive end to 36 years public service to the NHS.

“Unfortunately the NHS I joined in 1980 is not the NHS of 2016, but I remain proud of what I have achieved through the support and hard work of all of the staff who have worked for me and with me.

“The NHS is under daily attack and we all need to nurture, protect and speak up for its founding principles.”

Former chief operating officer Sheilah Finnegan and former HR director Sharon Partington were also excluded last year, but left the trust in September ahead of disciplinary hearings over their conduct. The statement did not include information about their cases.

The trust’s deputy director of performance, Richard McCarthy, who was also excluded last year, has been cleared of all allegations and has returned to work.

In the same statement, chair Sue Musson announced she would not be renewing her term, and would instead be joining Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust as chair in January.

She said: “This has been a very serious and complex matter for the trust, and I am grateful to the panel for conducting the hearing and reviewing all the evidence so diligently.

“The end of my current term of office coincides with the completion of the disciplinary investigations. Therefore, this feels like an appropriate juncture for me to move on and for a new chair to have a clear path to lead the trust into the future.

“I want to acknowledge the bravery of the individuals who came forward and spoke out about their concerns. Following this difficult time for everyone concerned, the trust now has an opportunity to focus on the future.”

Iain McInnes was appointed interim chief executive in August, becoming the trust’s fourth chief executive in a year.